Wallach: Animals would not treat us how we treat them

Published 5:03 pm, Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Close your eyes for a minute and imagine a world without animals. No more birds singing in the spring, no more newborns in the barnyard or the fields, no more exotic animals to visit in their natural habitats, no more pets to enrich our lives. Grim, isn't it?

We like to think we have come a long way from the days when Roman gladiators fought each other and animals to the death, but we are still far from the vision of Mahatma Gandhi, who said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

While we ponder his wisdom, consider that these animals are already endangered and may never be seen by our grandchildren: Polar bear, giant panda, black rhinoceros, tiger, jaguar, gray wolf, Galapagos tortoise, Chinook salmon, penguin, African lion, African elephant, blue whale, dolphin, beluga sturgeon, brown bear and many varieties of frogs, coral and hundreds of other species.

Closer to home, how many butterflies or bees do you see? They once meant summer had arrived.

Between climate change, man's insatiable need to hunt and kill, and worldwide pollution, wildlife struggles to survive. Zoos, once the enemy of animal lovers for the cruel care of these freedom-loving animals, now have become helpful in preserving species. Today, most zoos are modern, enlightened facilities that create enclosures more compatible to native habitats. It is a poor alternative for the animals, but better than extinction.

Man's inhumanity to man is only surpassed by his cruelty to animals. Think of circuses. Animals captured in the wild now caged in carriages, trains or trucks rolling from town to town until their time to perform. Can one blame them if they occasionally attack their trainer in their quest for freedom? What about dog fights until one is savaged to death? And fox hunting, officially banned in Britain but flourishing nonetheless. If the fox escapes, fine, if not, he's torn to pieces.

The list doesn't end there -- consider bull fights and cock fights. Such blood sports are barbaric and unworthy of man. Same goes for horse racing, which is an ego trip for owners. Horses' lungs fill with blood whenever they race and at times, as we've seen tragically, some fall, break a leg and have to be put down. When horses no longer win races and purses for their owners, some are lucky to be put out to pasture where they can at last be free to roam at will and enjoy their retirement. For others, it's off to be slaughtered for meat.

Mustangs run freely, mane flowing in the wind of the western plains, but the government feels there may be too many and so they are systematically rounded up to be shipped to Mexico where they meet the same fate as race horses no longer of use. But what is the West without mustangs?

Greyhound races exploit the speed of these graceful dogs. When past their racing days, a fortunate few are adopted by kind people. Others are simply abandoned. So much for gratitude. Too many owners use these animals for their own pleasure and profit.

Farm animals have had a rough time of it. Gone are the days of roaming in open farmland, happily eating grass and enjoying the sunshine. Now they are squeezed into minuscule spaces. Organic farming can be credited with changes in their treatment. A younger generation is demanding kindness to animals until they are slain; many become vegetarians as a form of protest.

Pets are a precious part of our lives, whether it's a dog, cat, bird or fish. The unconditional love of a dog is unique on our planet. He is blissfully unaware of our flaws, for which we are thankful. To the elderly living alone, he is a lifeline to the outside world, a companion who asks nothing more than to lie by his owner's feet or on his lap.

The high costs of veterinarian care force many to euthanize their beloved pet when they become ill. There is health care insurance available but it is expensive. Some day, when health care for humans is finally figured out, the government may study pet medical insurance in a way that will help the low-income owner.

Greenwich resident Carla Wallach is an author and writer of numerous articles in national newspapers and publications. Her column appears on the second Thursday of every month.